November, Citrine

Citrine is November’s Birthstone

HISTORY:Citrine is the
official birthstone for the month of November. Replacing the simple
name of yellow quartz, the name “citrine” was officially adopted for
this stone in 1556. Citrine is derived from the old French word
“citron”, meaning yellow. Citrine has been used as an embellishment on
tools and in the jewelry making industry for thousands of years. It
gained popularity as a decorative gem in ancient Greece during the
Hellenistic Age. In the 17th century, Scottish weapon makers
placed citrine on dagger handles, sometimes using a single large
citrine crystal as the handle itself. Largely due to Queen Victoria’s
fascination with the gem, citrine became a popular gemstone for
traditional Scottish kilt pins and shoulder brooches. Citrine again
rose to prominence during the Art Deco period that began in the early
part of the 20th century.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:Citrine is a hard, tough stone
best cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic
cleaners are usually safe for citrine, but because some citrine is heat
treated, steam cleaners should be avoided to prevent color loss.